Apparatus for attaching fasteners



Jan. 9, 1940. E. WQBACONI 2,135,569

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING FASTENERS Filed Oct. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 9, 1940. w, BACON 2,186,569

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING' FASTENERS Filed Oct. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 9, 1940. E. w. BACON APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING FASTENERS Filed Oct. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 9, 1940. a. w. AoN. 2,186,569

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING FASTENERS Filed Oct. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan '9, 1940- UNITED STATES v Y 2,1 6,5 9 APPARATUS Eon ATTACHING FASTENERS Elmer W, Bacon, Chicago, 111. assignor to Wilson-f Jones Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of n Massachusetts Application October 29; 1937, Serial No. 1'l1,605

3 15 Claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for at-v taching fasteners having sheet retaining prongs backing supports.

6 n It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and efl'icient apparatus adapted to secure a conventional fastener to any suitable backing support It is a further object of this invention to provide means for bending the sheet retaining to file holders, cards, sheets of paper or similar prongs of the fastener downwardly against the backing support. Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading. the following descriptiomltaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of anapparatus' embodying the invention; i t 1 .Figure.2 is'a fragmentary side view of the apparatus, partly in section and partly in elevation;

20 Figure 3 is a perspective 'view'of "a fastener ready for attachment to a backing support;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fastener attached to a backing support; s

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of 25, the apparatus; 3 p

Figure 6 is a cross section view showing the arrangementjof parts just after the. fastener has 1 been attached to the backing support; Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan View take 39 along the line VII-VII of Figure 2;

' Figure 8 is. a detail perspective view, of the platen; i

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view, taken along the line IX,--IX of Figure 2; 35 Figure 10 is a detail perspective View of a guide member; and v s Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of one of the anvils. g

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indie 40 cates a bench or table top adapted to serve as a support for the apparatus hereinafter described. The apparatus includes a base plate 3 secured to the bench 2 by means of screws. or bolts 4. A reinforcing plate 5 is secured to the underside of 45 the bench by means of the screws or bolts 4. The bench 2, base plate 3 and reinforcing plate 5 are apertured, as indicated at 6, to allow passage. of

indicated at H], to a bracket ll secured to the" underside of the bench 2. The other end of the lever 8 is connected to a foot lever l2 by means 85 of a link l3 having one end secured to one end of'the l-ever'8; as indicated at M, and its other end secured to the lever [2 intermediate its ends,

I as indicated at IS. The lever I2 is pivoted at one end to a fixedsupport l6 and has a foot pedal l1 at its front end. The levers 8 and I2 are so proportioned that a slight pressure on the foot pedal l1 moves the plunger rod 1 up-' wardly. A collar I8 removably'secured adjacent the bracket I I by means of the screw; l9 engages the lever 8 to limit the movement of the plunger m rod I. When a longer stroke for the plunger rod 1 is desired because of longer sheet retaining prongs on the fastener to be attached to a file I folder or otherbacking support,. the collar I 8 is removed. A coil spring 20 secured to the levers 15 8 and I2 is adapted to move the plunger rod 1 back to its initialposition as scenes the pressure on the foot pedal I1 is released. v Aplaten 2! is rigidly secured to the upper end 3 of the plunger trod I. The platen 2| 'is' adapted tosupport a fastener 22with its sheet retaining prongs 2 3 andits attaching tine or tines 24'projecting at right angles to the base of the fastener. A pair of parallel grooves 25 is provided in the upper surface of the platen 2|. to receive 25 a pair of reinforcing ribs26 formed onthe base of. the fastener. Aflat metal plate,2'l provided with a..pairof integral'extensions 28 is secured to the'top surface of the platen adjacent the area upon which the fastener. 22 is positioned. 30

"I'heextensions 28 are shaped to conform to the' 1 contour of the edges 29 of the fastener and engage said edges 29 to prevent longitudinal movement of the-fastener during the fastener attaching operation. A hardened stee1p1ate30 provided with depending integral extensions 3| is secured to the rear edge of the platen 2| by means of screws 32 for a purpose to be hereinafter-v described.

A pair of L-shaped upright members 33 isseis positioned between the members 33. The guide member 35 is provided with a horizontal base portion 36 adapted to rest on the base plate 3 and a pair ofupstanding walls 31.' Each'wall 31 is provided with a reinforcing wall 38. spacing bar 39 extending between the walls 31 serves to strengthen the structure. Thefront edge 40 of each of the walls 31 is offset to allow room for the prongs 23 between each-wall 31 and its reinforcing wall 38. The front edge of ieach wall 38 is fiared outwardly, as indicated at M, to facilitate the proper positioning of the fastener 22 on the platen 2|. 7

The edge 40 ofeach wall 31 is inclined or cam shaped, as indicated at 40'. The hardened steel plate 32 engages the edges 40 of the walls 31 of the guide member so that the guide member is progressively moved backwardly in a line extending at right angles to the path of travel of the platen 2| as the platen is moved upwardly by pressure on the foot pedal 11. A pair of coiled springs 42 each having one end secured to an car 43 projecting from the wall 34 and its other end secured to a bracket 44 carried bythewall 31 moves the guide member 35 forwardly progressively as the platen is moved downwardly by the spring 20.

An arm &5 having one end secured to the rear edge of the base plate 3 by means of bolts 46 extends across the plate 3 and has its other end spaced above the platen 2!. A stationary head 41' is secured to the underside of the forward end of the arm .5 by means of a pair of bolts 48. The stationary head ll comprises a rectangular block of steel provided with a deep recess 49 into which a guide member 5% snugly fits.

The guide member 5%} extends the length of the stationary head i! and has a pair of integral extensions 5! projecting beyond the edges of the head. The extensions 51 at each edge of the stationary head ll provide a channel 52 adapted to receive the sheet retaining prongs 23 and guide them upwardly after the fastener 22 has been moved far enough to-vpenetratethe backing support to which it. is to be secured.

A pair of movable anvils 53 is positioned in the recess 49 below the member 59. Each movable anvil 53 is provided with a diagonally extending slot 5 1 and is secured in the recess d9 by means of apin 55 passing through the diagonal slot 5 1 and rigidly secured to the stationary head M. A portion of each anvil projects into one of the channels 52. The anvils are positioned so .that the sheet'r-etaining prongs 23 fit into the channels 52 adjacent the outer edges of the anvils 53.

Eachanvil is notched on its undersurface, as indicated at 56. to provide a shoulder 51.. Each notch 56 is positioned in registration with one of the; attaching tines. 24. The undersurface of each anvil 53 adjacent the shoulder 51 is recessed to provide a second shoulder 58.

The stationary head 3! is provided with an aperture 59 leading into the recess 49. A pin till projects through the aperture 59 into engagement with the top surface of the member 5!). The arm d5 is. provided with an internally threaded recess 6! into which a cap member 62 is threaded. The cap member 62 is provided with a recess 63 and the pin, 60 is provided with an enlarged head 6 of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the recess 63. A coiled'spring 65 positioned in. the recess 53 above the head 64 exerts a constant force urging the pin Ell downwardly.

A plate at is supported by the upright members 33 and one or more brackets 51 in position to support a file folder or other backing support 63 adjacent the underside of the movable anvils 53. The front edge of the file folder support is cut. away; as; indicated at 69,to facilitate the attachment of the fasteners 22 to the file folders 68. A bar ltl is slidably secured to the plate 66 in any suitable manner to act as a side gauge for the file folders. A bar l! extending at right angles to the bar it and slidably secured there:

1 id of the wall to by means of a. wedge l2 and a screw l3 serves the back gauge.

The operation of the apparatus is quite simand fast. A fastener 22 is positioned on the platen M with the sheet retaining prongs 23 posi tioned between the wall 3% and the offset portion The base portion of the fastener is held in position by the fiat plate 21' and the upper edge of the hardened steel plate 33. The fastener is prevented from moving longitudinally by the extensions 23 engaging the ends 29 of the base of the fastener. A file folder or similar backing support, is placed on the plate tit; and positioned against the gauge bars iii and ll. The foot pedal ii is depressed, causing the platen. 2: to move upwardly and the hardened steel plate moves the guide member 35 rearwardly out of the path of travel of the platen. The depending extensions 31 prevent the platen 2i from getting caught on the edge of the plate 656 when-the platen is in its uppermost position.

When the prongs 25 are forcedthrough the file folder 33 they project into the channels 52 to guide them upwardly in proper alignment. The attaching tines 2 3 are projected through the file folder into the notches 5%. The continued upward movement of the platen moves the anvils i3 and the member til upwardly into contact with the stationary head ll. The diagonal slots 54 impart a cam action to the anvils 53 and force them outwardly opposite horizontal directions against the sheet retaining prongs 23 and attaching tines 2d to bend said prongs and tines downwardly against the file folder.

The outer edges of the anvils engage the sheet retaining prongs and the shoulders 5? engage the attaching tines simultaneously. ment of the shoulders El with the attaching tines is near the free end of the tines to facilitate the initial bending of the A second shoulder as on the under surface of each anvil engages the tines subsequently to the initial bending near the base of the tines to complete the clinching of the tines to the file folder] As soon as the pressure on the foot pedal l! is released the spring 28 moves the platen 2| downwardly to its initial position, the springsAZ move the guide member 35 forwardly to its initial position, .and the spring 65 moves theanvils 53 and member 539 back to their initial positions. The file folder $3 with the fastener attached and the sheet retaining prongs lying flat is removed from the plate tli manually, and the apparatus is ready to repeat the operation.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rathergthan restrictive, as many details may he modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordinly, I do. not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim: I I

1. In apparatus for attaching fasteners pro- The engageand a pair of attaching tines to file folders, said prongs and'said tines being spaced longitudinally of each other, means for moving a fastener into engagement with a filefolder with said prongs and tines projecting through said file folder, and

platen operable to move a fastener provided with sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines into contact with said file folder and to project said prongs and tines through said file folder, and a pair of anvils movable by said platen against said prongs and said tines to bend said prongs and said tines downwardly against said file folder.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a file folder, a movable platen operable to move a fastener provided with a plurality of sheet retaining prongs and a plurality of attaching tines into contact with said file folder and to project said prongs and tines through said file folder, a stationary head positioned above said folder, and a pair of movable anvils secured to said stationary head, said platen being operable to move said anvils in opposite horizontal directions to bend said prongs and tines against said file folder simultaneously.

5. In an apparatus for attaching fasteners provided with sheet retaining prongs and-attaching tines to file folders, means for projecting said prongs and tines through a file folder, a pair of movable anvils engageable with said prongs to bend them against said folder, said anvils being notched to receive said tines and engageable with said tines to clinch them against said folder, and means for moving said anvils.

6. In an apparatus for attaching fasteners provided with a pair of sheet retaining prongs and a pair of attaching tines to file folders, means for projecting said prongs and tines through a file folder, a pair of movable anvils, and means for moving said anvils, the outer edge of each anvil engageable with one of said prongs to bend said prongs downwardly, each of said anvils having a shoulder engaging one of said tines to clinch said tines against said folder.

'7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a head, a platen supporting a fastener having a plurality of attaching tines and sheet retaining prongs, means supporting a file folder between said head and said platen, means for moving said platen to project said attaching tines and said sheet retaining prongs through said file folder, a pair of anvils mounted in said headand engageable with said attaching tines and sheet retaining prongs to bend them against said file folder, and'means for moving said anvils.

8. In an apparatus for attaching fasteners provided with sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines to file folders, means for projecting said prongs and tines through a file folder, a pair of movable anvils for clinching said tines against said folder, and means for moving said anvils, each of said anvils having one portion engageable with one of said tines near the free end 'thereof to start the clinching operation and another portion subsequently engageable with said tine near the base thereof to complete the clinching operation.

9. In an apparatus for attaching fasteners provided with sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines to file folders, means for projecting said prongs and said tines through a file folder, a pair of movable anvils, the outer edge of each anvil engageable with one of said prongs to bend said prongs downwardly, each of said anvils having a pair of shoulders, one of said shoulders engaging one of said tines near the free end thereof to bend said tines simultaneously with said prongs and the other of said shoulders engaging said tine near the base thereof to clinch said tine securely to said file folder and means for moving said anvils to perform said functions as aforesaid.

10. In an apparatus for attaching fasteners provided with sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines to file folders, means for projecting said prongs and tines through a file folder, a pair of anvils each provided with two surfaces adapted to engage one prong and one tine to bend said prong and tine downwardly simultaneously and another surface adapted to engage said tine subsequently to clinch said tine against said file folder and means for moving said anvils to perform said functions as aforesaid.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a file folder, a platen for supporting a fastener, said fastener having a I 12. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a file folder, aplaten for supporting a fastener, said fastener having a plurality of sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines projecting towards said file folder,'a stationary head positioned adjacent said file folder, means for moving said platen toward saidhead to project said prongs and tinesthrough said file folder, means permitting the regulation of the distance of travel of said platen in accordance with the length of said prongs, and movable means connected to said headand operable by said platen to bend said prongs and tines against said file folder.

123; In an apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a head, a platen supporting a fastener provided with sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines, means supporting a file folder between said head and said platen, means for moving said platen to project said prongs and tines through said file folder, means permitting the regulation of the distance said platen may move in accordance with the length of said prongs, and a pair of anvils mounted in said head, the outer edge of each of said anvils engaging one of saidprongs to bend said prongs downwardly,'each "of said anvils having a pair of shoulders engaging said tines successively to clinch said tines against said file folder.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a file folder, a movable platen operable to move a fastener provided with sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines into contact with said file folder and to project said prongsand tines through said file folder, means engaging the" ends of said fastener to prevent the combination of a head, aplaten supporting a fastener having a plurality of attaching tines means supporting a file folder between said head and said platen, means for moving said platen to project said attaching tines through said file folder, a pair of anvils mounted in said head, and means to move said anvils to engage said tines to bend them against said file folder, each of said anvils being recessed so that the point of engagement of each anvil with its respective attaching tine moves from the free end of said tine towards the base thereof during the movement of said anvils. v

ELMER W. BACON. 

